This course is an exploration of the value of education, the necessity of education, and the role that a liberal arts education can play in the development of our lives and our humanity. We will also examine the possibility of failure, and the obstacles we face on the path toward self-realization. Students in this course are offered an unusual opportunity: you will be asked to learn quite a bit, through reading and discussing a series of classic philosophical, literary and religious texts, centering on the theme of education. Also, by participating in this course, you will engage in a university-wide discussion about the role of a liberal arts education in the modern world. Students in this class can help shape the future of education at SIUE: this is one of the hopes associated with the course. Thus at the outset of your educational career, you are invited to develop and exchange your ideas about education with professors and administrators of the university.

1. Class Participation. (20%)
Attend every session. Come prepared to speak intelligently about the readings for the day (you will be assigned ongoing grades for your participation in the classroom). 2. Keep a Reading Journal. (20%)
Purchase a special notebook, in which to keep your notes and to record your reflections. This can also be expanded into a daily journal of thoughts: a day-book and diary. I will collect and examine these from time to time.3. Précis of Readings. (10%)
Ten short (1-2 pp.) analytical pieces, explaining the leading ideas of the readings: due in class, on the day of discussion.4. Eight-page paper: “On the Nature and Meaning of Education.” (25%)
A paper based on the course readings and your reflections: a first draft is due at mid-semester. The final draft is due at the end of the course. 5. An oral presentation in the “Seminar on Liberal Arts Education.” (25%)
A further development of readings and the first draft of your paper: what is your current understanding of education? What should it include? How should it be done? What can you recommend to others? What should be the role of a university?
What should be done at our university?

Part Four:
Tradition and Revolt: What is at Stake in Education?* week 6 *
Mon. September 26
Jaroslav Pelikan, The Vindication of Tradition
Wed. September 28
Pelikan, continued
Fri. September 30
Pelikan, continued

* week 7 *
Mon. October 3
Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild
Wed. October 5
Krakauer, continued
Fri. October 7
Krakauer, continued

Part Five:
Education and the Meaning of Life
* week 8 *
Mon. October 10
Film: “Goodbye, Mr. Chips”
Wed. October 12
John Dewey, “Philosophy and Civilization” – e-reserve
Fri. October 14
Dewey, continued

* week 9 *
Mon. October 17
Harold Bloom, How to Read and Why
Wed. October 19
Bloom, continued
Fri. October 21
Bloom, continued

Part Six:
The Role of the University* week 10 *
Mon. October 24
John Henry, Cardinal Newman, The Idea of the University – e-reserve
Wed. October 26
Newman, continued
Fri. October 28
Newman, continued